Translation of the Chofetz Chaim's Sefer Shmiras HaLashon. This site is dedicated to the improvement of the speech of members of Bnei Yisrael. To help avoid all sorts of troubles, learn Shmiras HaLashon - "One who guards his mouth and his tongue guards from troubles of his soul." (Mishlei: 21; 23)

Sunday, November 25, 2007

Shmiras HaLashon י שבט - Shevat 10 - One-Hundred-and-Twenty-Ninth Day

In this Chapter [we] Shall Explain [of one of] the Cause[s] of Lashon HaRa, [specifically that] it Comes [About] as a result of [one’s] being accustomed [in the Trait of] Haughtiness

[In addition to the previously discussed negative character traits that often lead one to speak Lashon HaRa], some [people speak Lashon HaRa] as a result of the [attribute of] haughtiness [that resides within them], that being that [the person] considers himself to be a wise person and a [distinguished] man among men, [in contrast to] everyone else [who he] views as lowly. Therefore, [as the haughty person looks down upon other people, he] is determined to make fun of his fellow. Furthermore, [the attribute] of haughtiness leads one to become jealous and hateful of [those] who [are] viewed as honorable by the people of the city. [This haughty individual] will be envious and bear enmity against [those who are respected], for he imagines that his [own] honor is diminished as a result of [those who are respected], and he says [to himself]: ‘If not for [these other people who are honored], I would be described among people as being a distinguished person.’ [This haughty individual who feels that his honor is being diminished at the expense of the honor shown to others], will examine and seek out [the] hidden secrets [of these honored individuals], in order [to obtain] some [compromising information] to relate against [the honored individual], whether it is true or false, so as to diminish [the stature of] his name with respect to [the] other people [who had shown him honor], and to [thereby] display his superiority over [this other person], to lower his stature, to shame him and embarrass him. At times, due to [his] haughtiness, [the person] will [lead himself to be involved in] all four categories [that comprise] “חשמ"ל” – “Chashmal”, [[this being an] acronym [for]: “Flatterers” – “חנפים”, “liars” – “שקרנים”, “speakers of Lashon HaRa” – “מספרי לשון הרע”, [and] “mockers” – “לצים” – [this acronym is] based on the gemara [in maseches] “Sotah” (42a).[1]] [This haughty individual] will speak of shameful [matters] concerning his fellow [in order] that he will [thereby] be honored and his fellow will [consequently] be scorned. [This haughty person] will glorify [himself] through [his] lies as well as by [relating positive] attributes [concerning himself] which he [in reality] doesn’t possess. Because of his haughtiness, he will constantly flatter evildoers, and will not rebuke them [for their wrongs] so that they will not [come to] hate him and [thereby] detract [from] his honor. Therefore, one who wishes to purify his soul from this bitter sin [of haughtiness], will constantly consider the greatness of the shame of [the attribute of] haughtiness. [The attribute of haughtiness is shameful], for how can a person become haughty, [considering that he] began his existence [by being] formed from a putrid drop, and in the future he will go to a place of dirt, maggot and worm, and they will consume him little by little.

[1] The relevant passage in maseches “Sotah” (42a), states as follows:

“Rav Yirmiyah the son of Abba said: ‘Four groups [of people] do not receive G-d’s Divine Presence: The group of flatterers, the group of liars, the group of mockers, [and] the group of speakers of Lashon HaRa. The group of mockers [do not receive G-d’s Presence], as it is written “...He withdrew His hand [from being with] mockers” (Hoshea: 7; 5), the group of flatterers, as it is written, “For a flatterer does not come before Him.” (Iyov: 13; 16), the group of liars, as it is written, “One who speaks lies will not be established before My eyes.” (Tehillim: 101; 7), The group of habitual speakers of Lashon HaRa [do not receive G-d’s Presence], as it is written, “For You are G-d who does not desire evil, evil will not dwell with You [in Your midst].” (Tehillim: 5; 5) You are righteous HaShem, evil will not dwell in Your abode”.